Action Research

Action research is the process of the practicing professional to conduct research during the professional practice in order to collect data that will help inform, reform, and improve his practice. This powerful way of using experimental design, or best practices that are new to the instructor is an extremely effective way to influence the practice of one's grade level or subject are colleagues, one's  campus, or one's district. When teachers conduct research in their own classrooms, the students will benefit from the best practice being used, the teacher will be more reflective about actions taken during instruction, the steps taken will be completed on purpose, and overall achievement should increase. If it does not, the practice can be tweaked or abandoned. The result is that the practice will be improved, the practitioner's understanding of their practice will improve, and the environment where the practice takes place will improve. The power lies in the fact that instead of being a consumer of other's research the person at the level of delivery is now the creator of the research. That person is now empowered to take chances and feel confident that what they have had success with is the right strategy to use. In the case that the data does not support the use of the strategy, it can be discontinued or conducted in modified ways.